Latest: Two Dead, Five Sick From Unknown Illness

WDHNMay. 21, 2013. 01:23 PM EST

Though not a epidemic, outbreak has health officials concerned Two people have died and five othe...
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Though not a epidemic, outbreak has health officials concerned Two people have died and five others are hospitalized after suffering an undetermined illness. "We're investigating an increase in respiratory type symptoms," said Peggy Blakeney, Area Administrator for the Alabama Department of Public Health. "An investigation is ongoing and there are many unknowns at this time." The two people who died were in their 30's and 40's. Other information, including sex of the victims, was not disclosed though Dothan First has confirmed one was an Enterprise man in his 30's. Those hospitalized with the mysterious illness are of varying ages ranging from young adults to an elderly person. All reside in southeast Alabama and died in local hospitals. There are no other known cases in the state. It is believed the first person affected became sick on or about April 19. However, Blakeney said the Department of Public Health was not notified until last week. "We're asking medical workers in contact with these cases to wear masks," said Blakeney. "We're also requesting people suffering from cough, fever, and breathing difficulty to consult a physician or other medical provider." At this point, a person should suffer all three before being overly concerned they could be infected with the unknown virus. "This is not an epidemic," stressed Lisa Smith, Emergency Preparedness Investigator with ADPH. "It appears not to be highly contagious." Family members of those affected are not suffering the same symptoms. She also said travel doesn't seem to be a contributing factor. "We wish we had a common denominator," Blakeney said. "We will just have to wait on lab results." Those are expected in the next few days. The illness is not believed related to an avian flu outbreak that has killed 131 people in China. Smith wouldn't speculate whether the Alabama cases could be the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu. Anyone with questions or concerns is urged to contact their medical provider or nearest health department.
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